Definitions of terms used
| Terms | Definition |
|---|---|
| An argument | A set of propositions, the premises, whose truth is intended to support or prove the truth of another set of propositions, the conclusion(s).10 |
| A proposition | Any description of a state of affairs. These may be either statements or depictions.11 |
| A valid argument | A deductive argument such that it is logically impossible for the premises to be true and the conclusion false.12 |
| A sound argument | A valid argument with true premises.12 |
| A cogent non-deductive argument | An argument whose premises support, but do not prove the truth, of their conclusions.12 |
| A fallacy | Any persuasive but unreliable form of argument.12 |
| An enthymeme | “Any argument in which one or more of its core propositions (a premise or conclusion) is not stated explicitly, but is merely assumed implicitly to be part of the argument”.12 |